Behind Marathon Monday – One Team Built on Care & Compassion // A Story of Holding Space Together to Find Strength

Boston welcomes runners, families, and friends each Patriot’s Day to celebrate life, giving, and community. There is nothing like it. #ThisisBoston.

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Network and Frette luxury linens joined forces to care for the community of runners in the Race for Rehab Team. Today, it is my pleasure to share with you an insider’s peek into the complementary care that support the dedicated team of incredible runners who make up Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Network’s Race for Rehab Team. It is all about the PEOPLE and making countless meaningful connections to find those who share and exemplify the same core values. The destination of these connections is a place of mutual inspiration.

We are in the process.

So read on, be inspired, and pick up your feet – take each stride at your own pace, grab a friend, and go on in this RACE=LIFE to #FindYourStrength.

As a scientific researcher, I feel privileged to bring together this feature about Spaulding Rehabilitation Network and share how the money the runners raise directly contributes to the advancement of medical research and progress to improve quality of care. The funds raised from the Marathon are but one of many ways Spaulding contributes to improving the lives of so many families and communities close to us in Boston. One example is an amazing accessible and inclusive playground built in Charlestown for children of all abilities to enjoy.

350 runners over the past 11 years have raised over $3.5 million to support Spaulding’s National Running Center, one of the premier in the country, devoted exclusively to diagnosing, treating, and preventing running injuries in runners of all ages and abilities. These philanthropic gifts go towards programs like the adaptive sports and therapeutic recreation programs. Spaulding’s researchers, in cooperation with Harvard Medical School’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation program, work to improve patient outcomes and delivery of care.

The runners gathered today, the Saturday before the race, to reflect on the past months of training and fundraising. They were each surprised with a bespoke monogrammed luxurious robe at today’s pre-marathon event as a generous and thoughtful gift from Frette.

This is an example of complementary care arising out of a community here in Boston that shares core values and exemplifies a high standard of care for a whole community of patients, staff, supporters – and of course, much-deservedly, for the runners who are champions of quality care themselves. Frette is a fitting partner to Spaulding, delivering a personalized, special element of physical comfort and care to the runners. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with the team at Frette on Boylston St. in Boston and they’re professional, kind, and were lovely to work with.

His monogrammed robe

The Marathon brings together the color and life of community, and my, does Boston wear this color well.

One much-anticipated celebratory highlight is Marathon Monday at the Mandarin – an event from 12:30 pm-6:30 pm hosted at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, just steps from the famous Finish Line at 776 Boylston St. Boston, MA 02199. This event is a public (ticketed) viewing of the race – a coveted view – with food, a cash bar, and fun celebrations for all ages.

Boston, where will you be watching the Marathon from? Who is running?

COMMENT with your bib # so we can all cheer you on!

While you’re in the area, stop by Frette next door to the Mandarin Oriental and pick out a luxurious gift to spoil your runner.

In case you need a suggestion, their slippers for men and women are lovely- and the throws are the softest.

Or, have a bespoke monogrammed robe made to commemorate this achievement!

As the runners cross the FinishLine, we cheer for them as our champions. They’ve pushed through physical trials, endured mental duress, and found strength to cross that line. We cheer for everyone. For them, this could just be one race, a milestone of achievement leading to more races. It could also be THE race. Across all 26.2 miles, each runner may also bring with them a cause, goals, a memory. They may be running for you, to inspire you to dream bigger and to work hard at your goals.

Let’s not forget to have a cheer for you – the champions and supporters of the Race for Rehab team, families, friends, donors, spectators – the on-the-ground coaches throughout the uphill and downhill times of training season. You are champions of your people, fostering rich and meaningful connections to bring something valuable to life. Never forget that.

Join me in wishing all the runners of the Boston Marathon 2017 a spectacular race – the BlueBootsGo community is sending you all good vibes. Thank you for raising money to enhance and enrich care for others to find their strength, and all with presence of heart! #BeBoston